Best girls’ weekends away Down Under

Get your mates together for these unforgettable mini-breaks
- byAndrea Black

01 May
2019

Victorian Grape Escape

Great wine and good friends come together on the Yarra Valley’s Alternative Taste Trail along the Melba Highway. It’s just an hour’s drive from Melbourne and features award-winning winemakers. Charter a bus and take in boutique cellar doors including Corniola, Mandala and Miller’s Dixons Creek Estate, which all have a reputation for small batch fine wines. Catch up over a long lunch at Locale, De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate’s trattoria, one of the region’s best.

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Uluru in lights

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience – internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro’s Field Of Light installation at the foot of Uluru was so popular, it’s here until late 2020. Book into Ayers Rock Resort to relax by the pool, gaze in wonder at Uluru and partake in the spectacular A Night At The Field Of Lights while enjoying fine food, drinks and a chance to walk through the installation.

Next Hotel Brisbane

Brissie city break

Looking for somewhere stylish and on-trend to spend a weekend with friends? Brisbane’s Next Hotel is an award-winning, chic venue that drops you right in the middle of the most happening city in Australia. Whether it’s shopping in Brissie’s retail promenades, a leisurely stroll through QAGOMA – the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art – or lazing by the rooftop pool and bar, Next is an ideal spot for the gang to rock up and start the party!

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Sydney’s city oasis

The elegant Palm Springs feel at the Vibe Hotel Rushcutters Bay makes it an oasis of calm just minutes from the city. The rooftop pool offers a great location to relax between city shopping trips and strolling around Paddington Markets – and Sydney Harbour is just minutes from the door. Its restaurant Storehouse is a great place to relax, and there are also plenty of other dining options to enjoy in inner Sydney’s hidden gem.

visitfremantle.com

Frolic in Fremantle

The WA port city of Fremantle some 20-minute drive from Perth’s CBD has always been a bohemian enclave with a great blend of food, culture and entertainment. The venerable Tradewinds hotel has been refurbished and is an awesome base for your Fremantle stay. Just down the road is trendy George St which features some great little eateries and wine bars. Browse the legendary markets, or just kick back with some great food, wine and friends at Bread in Common they also offer a private dining room - great for a girls get together!

Andrea BlackTravel, design and interiors writer Andrea Black embraces maximalism in the home, prefers mid-century modern style furniture and likes to hunt down vintage pieces. She specialises in travel relating to design, history, architecture and music. When visiting a city she will track down vintage vinyl record stores and bring home a local release.